KISS won't play at Michael Jackson tribute concert after all

Organizers of a Michael Jackson tribute concert dropped KISS from the lineup after receiving widespread criticism for booking the band despite critical comments toward the late pop singer by bassist Gene Simmons.

AP PHOTO / RICHARD DREWIn this April 21, file photo, Gene Simmons, of the rock group KISS, introduces a signature Mini automobile at the New York International Auto Show in an April file photo. Organizers for the Michael Jackson tribute show announced Tuesday, Aug. 16, that they were dropping the band KISS from the lineup scheduled for October after fans, media and the late singer's estate noted Gene Simmons had been critical of Jackson for years.

The announcement Tuesday came a day after Global Live Events announced Kiss would join the show planned for Oct. 8 in Cardiff, Wales. Fans, media and the singer’s estate quickly noted that Simmons has said in recent years that he was convinced Jackson molested children. Some of the critical comments came within days of Jackson’s June 2009 death.

Jackson was acquitted of molestation charges after a 2005 trial in California.

Some of Simmons’ harshest comments came last year in an interview with Classic Rock magazine. “Well, you know, where there’s smoke there’s fire,” Simmons said of rumors of Jackson’s abuse of young boys. “There’s no question in my mind he molested those kids. Not a doubt.”

“Under the circumstances, we fully agree that even though KISS is a band Michael admired, we have no choice but to rescind our invitation to them to appear in our tribute concert,” Hunt wrote in a statement.

A spokeswoman for the band was not immediately available for comment.

It is the latest stumble for a show that is endorsed by Jackson’s mother and several siblings but is opposed by brothers Jermaine and Randy. The brothers have noted that the show is scheduled to happen during the involuntary manslaughter trial of a doctor charged in Michael Jackson’s death.

Fans have protested ticket prices —which start at nearly $100 — the lineup and the show’s faraway location since “Michael Forever — The Tribute Concert” was announced last month.

Howard Weitzman, an attorney for Jackson’s estate, questioned the show in a letter sent to Hunt on Tuesday, questioning whether any of the show’s proceeds would be going to charity, as promoters have claimed.